Yesterday was Remembrance Day in Canada and other versions of this day were celebrated throughout the Commonwealth and the USA.
It was a day to remember those who fought for peace in WWI, WWII, and the Korean war.
In Canada, poppies to support veterans were sold, as they are every year on November 11th, and this year sales went through the roof due to the recent killing of two Canadian soldiers on home soil.
Last night I watched a documentary that followed the lives of three Canadian soldiers in WWI. Their lives and their dream to be victorious in the ‘war to end all wars’ were nothing short of inspiring.
One of the soldiers featured was Pte. Frank Walker. Walker was a Stretcher Handler and carried injured soldiers out of the line of fire. He was also a gifted writer who recorded a journal of the war.
An excerpt from his journal penned on June 14 reads:
For forty-eight hours we have been working without a stop, and still the fighting is going on, and the wounded are falling faster than we can pick them up. It has rained all week. The trenches are knee-deep—in some places waist-deep, with mud and water. The dead and wounded lie everywhere: in trenches, and shell pits, and along the sodden roads. Two thousand wounded have passed through our hands since the attack. Hundreds more are dying of exposure a mile away, and we cannot reach them. The wounded who are already here must lie outside the Dressing Station, in the open, under the rain, until their turn comes.
We shall be relieved tonight, for twelve blessed hours, by the 3rd Field Ambulance. We are all in.
To read Walker’s complete journal, click here.
It was moving to get a glimpse into his journal and the letters that the others wrote home to their loved ones. I am glad that there are those out there who work hard to, not only remind us of the sacrifice of many, but to also keep the memories and faces of their loved ones alive.
Packing Out (A Ballad of the Stretcher Bearers) – A poem by Pte. Frank Walker, April 1917
I
We loaf around the Aid Post, on the sand bags in the sun,
Taking the jeers and sneers of every passing son-of-a-gun.
We are the lousy stretcher-squads, the discards of the Pack,
The idlers of the Army— til the Army’s next attack!
II
And then, some bloody morning, when the sky’s a blazing red,
And the batteries are roaring loud enough to wake the dead,
And the little mad machine-guns the infernal racket swell
With the din of devils riveting the boiler plates of hell.
III
—Oh, then it’s “Good Old Stretcher-Bearers: they’re the boys for trouble!”
“Gangway for the Stretcher-Bearers coming on the double!”
“Gangway for the Bearers!” goes from trench to trench the cry,
And everybody hops aside to let the “Bearers” by.
IV
Into the red confusion the, and through the din we pass, —
Stumbling along the trench mats, holding our breath for Gas —
Scrambling over the bald-spots, hearing the bullets whine —
Over the gaps and through the saps and up the Firing Line.
V
We go where men are falling in the awesome barrage-tract,
We dig them out, and pick them up, and pack them safely back.
Over the wire and through the mire and down the Line we go,
And you can bet your old Tin Hat our pace is far from slow!
VI
Back and back we go, til the battle-field is clear,
(It’s good to hear the wounded chaps giving us the Cheer!)
Back and back we go til the bloody job is through, —
Then it’s “Good old Stretcher-Bearers!” and “A double Rum for you!”
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
I would love to hear the stories of anyone who has loved ones who served in the war. Please share them below.
When in New Places said:
How incredible, Diana ~ the poem and journal entries are so touching. Thank you so much for sharing them!!
~ Andrea ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
My pleasure. In the beginning he was so young and idealistic. In the documentary they noted his final entry; the war had taken its toll – he stated he was out of words.
Diana xo
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When in New Places said:
Ahhh – that’s heartbreaking…wow, what a simple and powerful statement!! It gave me chills!
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Don said:
What an incredibly moving poem Diana. We can’t begin to imagine what went on in those trenches. Journals like that are precious items to be cherished.
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dianasschwenk said:
It is his granddaughter, I believe, who collected his journals and poems and shared them with the public. What a beautiful gesture, don’t you think Don?
Diana xo
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Don said:
Wonderful gesture Diana.
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Donna Walker said:
It was actually Frank Walkers daughter Mary with the help of her siblings (his children)
who brought the pieces together😊
(I am one of his many Grand children here)
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dianasschwenk said:
Wow, thanks for setting the record straight Donna!
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Sheryl said:
Beautifully written –The perfect post for Remembrance/Veterans Day.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Sheryl!
Diana xo
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markbialczak said:
Wonderful job, Diana. We celebrated Veterans Day in the States Tuesday, and I went to our local Memorial and read off names of those from my neighborhood who have their lives for our country and gave my thanks.
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dianasschwenk said:
You have a beautiful heart Mark! ❤
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
[Respectful Silence (because, really, what can you say)]
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Smitty. ❤
Diana xo
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joannerambling said:
I wish I had a story to share but alas I don’t that said this was a great post
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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Ann Koplow said:
Amazing post and poet. Thanks so much, Diana, for bringing all this to us today.
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Ann, thanks for stopping by. ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
There are so many heartfelt and personal stories to hear. Thanks for sharing Franks with us Diana and to remember their courage and to honor all those who fought for our freedom.
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re welcome Karen and yes, they should be remembered. 🙂
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
Great post, Diana. My paternal grandfather, Aubrey Kelland Sr., was in WW2 in the Forestry Unit, one of 3600 Newfoundlanders sent over to supply timber products crucial to Britain’s coal mining operations. You can read more about it here: http://www.heritage.nf.ca/law/forestry_unit.html.
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dianasschwenk said:
I will check out that link Jennifer! I believe Walker came from the Maritimes as well. ❤
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Thank you, Diana for the inspiring reminder that our freedom does not come without a price-“sacrifice.”
Dear God, love those who serve, and grant strength, healing, peace and comfort to them and their families.
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re welcome and what a beautiful prayer Alan – thank you!
Diana xo
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